Two interview for Tecumseh superintendent position

TECUMSEH — The first two of the six interviews of Tecumseh superintendent candidates were completed Tuesday.

Carl Schultz, principal at Fitzgerald High School in Warren, and Scott Riley, superintendent of Camden- Frontier Schools, each had public interviews that lasted more than an hour Tuesday. Two more interviews are scheduled for tonight and two more on Thursday, all in the administrative services building, 212 N. Ottawa St.

Many of the questions from the board dealt with overcoming conflicts and problem-solving. Board members were looking to get the candidates’ views on collaborative efforts and tailoring the district to a wide range of students.

“I believe in public education. I’m a product of public education,” Schultz said.

Prior to his position at Warren Fitzgerald, Schultz was the interim principal at North Middle School in Warren and assistant principal at Belleville High School. In his opening statement, Schultz said that he takes great pride in ensuring the safe, progressive and global education of all students within the building. He noted his experience in the classroom at all levels.

“Our goal is to create a family atmosphere,” he said. “If my kids are performing at a higher level, it reflects well on the district.”

Schultz, who has a background in special education, talked about his successful implementation of a school improvement grant, the redesign of the special education department model while assistant principal at Belleville High School, and the creation of the Michigan Merit Examination preparation course at Fitzgerald. Schultz said he believes in involving the community and parents in education with open communication.

“It is important to bring the community in. You have to develop trust. Be honest, always,” he said. “I don’t like to hold things back. It is important to explain why you are going to do something.”

An Adrian native, Riley has been superintendent at Camden-Frontier Schools in Hillsdale County since 2009. He also serves at the K-12 principal and special education director for the district.

Prior to that, Riley was a teacher and varsity basketball coach at Anthony Wayne High School in Waterville, Ohio, where he and his wife live. He began his education career as a teacher, athletic director and varsity basketball coach at Hillsdale High School. Riley has a business background, having worked as business manager at Clift Buick GMC in Adrian for six years and he has a business degree from the University of Toledo.

A mentoring program for teachers has been in place at Camden-Frontier, Riley said. It has helped teachers improve their performance.

“I’m big on accountability and follow-through,” he said. “If someone is not performing up to expectations, I will meet one-on-one and do whatever is necessary to help that person do their job. I like to give someone the opportunity to correct mistakes.”

He also stresses encouragement.

“At staff meetings, we talk about what is going right. Too often, we focus on the negative instead of what’s going right,” Riley said.

Riley said he has changed the contract negotiation style at Camden-Frontier, putting all parties in the same room. He reasoned that it is easier to sit across the table from someone and have clear, open negotiations.

Both candidates said curriculum is the most important factor in education. Riley said continuity is a vital element. Schultz cited his advanced degree in educational leadership.

Today, Sean McNatt, superintendent of the Breckenridge Community Schools, will be interviewed at 7 p.m. At 8:30 p.m., former Onsted and Tecumseh principal Kelly Coffin will be interviewed. She is currently director of instructional services for the Lenawee Intermediate School District.

On Thursday, Michael Osborne, superintendent of the Hudson and Morenci schools, will be interviewed at 7 p.m. followed at 8:30 p.m. by Sharon Irvine, executive director of human resources and director of auxiliary services for the Ypsilanti Community Schools.